NEWS
Diana Pikulski
Posted: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 11:12 AM
DIANA PIKULSKI
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
As racing attempts to emerge from a difficult stretch, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Executive Director Diana Pikulski believes a key will be capturing more interest from women.
For racing to accomplish that goal, she believes the industry will need to make strides in caring for retired horses.
“Obviously, racing is going through major changes and difficulties,” Pikulski said. “It can emerge stronger and remain prominent in our society if it will capitalize on the fact that people, especially women, love horses. Many people in racing care for their horses in retirement and support the TRF. But thousands of Thoroughbreds still end up homeless every year. The problem is solvable.”
Still in high school and working at a riding stable in the afternoon, Pikulski met TRF founder Monique Koehler. First as a volunteer and later as executive director of TRF, Pikulski has seen first-hand the potential of retired Thoroughbreds.
“Money allocated to take care of the horses will be the best marketing dollars the industry can spend,” Pikulski said. “The horses will give back to the industry in countless ways. Every happy Thoroughbred in the show ring, the hunt field, or the local trail riding club is a walking advertisement for the races and why horse lovers should pack up their family and go to the track for a day. If the racing and breeding industries would allocate funds for retirement, then they would own the solution and all the good publicity that it will bring.”
Date of birth: July 14, 1962
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey
Residence: Saratoga Springs, New York
Title: Executive director
Company: Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Drew University; Juris Doctor, Vermont Law School
Family: Married, one daughter
Career: Started as a volunteer with the TRF while in high school; served on TRF board after law school and named executive director in 1997
Biggest professional achievement: “Having the Jockey Club choose the TRF to be the recipient of the Jockey Club check-off proceeds.”
Favorite horse: Forego
What book are you currently reading? The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachman
Favorite television show: “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
Personal motto: “Treat every living thing with respect and kindness.”
What advice would you give other women interested in the racing industry? “There is tremendous opportunity for women in racing so do not be intimidated. Smart women who love horses can accomplish amazing things and the future of the sport, once we get through these adjustments, will be a better, stronger product with a largely female fan base.”
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READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: R.A.C.E. Fund, Inc., Harrisburg, PA on July 02, 2010 at 07:27 PM
Diana Pikulski is dedicated, hard working and she has devoted many years bringing racehorse retirement to the forefront and saving many horses lives along the way. Diana is an eternal optimist and advocate for the horses. Our organization has had the privilege of working with Diana and TRF and we look forward to working with them in the future, helping racehorses retire from racing and advocating for substantial perpetual funding for the horse’s welfare when they can no longer compete and the betterment of racing.
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